Regan not panicking but admits Naomh Conaill have to improve
Naomh Conaill snatched a last-ditch share of the points in their opening home SFC clash with Na Dúnaibh at the weekend.
John O’Malley stepped up to salvage the reigning champions a draw at Davy Brennan Memorial Park and it was a relieved Regan that gave his thoughts after.
The Boys in Blue had found themselves six points in front at the break in Glenties however with Paddy McElwee leading the visitors’ charge on the scoreboard, they managed to get their noses in front by three headed into added time.
Still, with close to a dozen regulars missing and some heavy artillery yet to come back into the mix there will be no one panicking just yet.
“It was very mixed,” said Regan on that 2-13 to 0-19 drawn effort. “I was pleased with the first-half performance; I thought we were very efficient and did well in our attacking play.
“But the second-half was poor and we were very lucky to get the draw. All the momentum was with Downings and there only looked to be one winner.
“In the end, we’re glad to get out of it with a point”.
Meath midfielder Cian McBride dominated both sets of kickouts and Naomh Conaill struggled to negate that influence as Na Dúnaibh came storming back into contention.
“Cian McBride was a huge influence and really took over at midfield. We really struggled to get to grips with him.
“Every time they got a score they seemed to follow it up by winning the next kickout. It was just hard to get a foothold in the game because of that.
“There aren’t many better fielders in Donegal club football than Cian. With the rules the way they now are, and with kickouts so crucial, he’s going to have a huge influence for them”.
Naomh Conaill go away to Aodh Ruadh this upcoming weekend and with the Ballyshannon men going down heavily to St Eunan’s in their opener, they’ll also be looking for an improvement.
Naomh Conaill, though, expect to have some of their absent Stateside cohort back in time for that encounter.
“We’re hoping to get a few back this week and over the next while we hope to have them all back and integrating into the panel.
“That won’t be easy as we haven’t seen them in quite a while. It will be difficult but we’ll be glad to have them back.
“It’s a quick turnaround to Ballyshannon and coming off the back of a poor second-half performance, you want to get back out and get playing soon enough.
“We’ll be looking for a reaction and two points that would get us into the top 12 first and foremost”.
Naomh Conaill are aiming to hold onto their Dr Maguire crown but Regan says it’s a championship format that doesn’t allow you to look to far down the line.
“The goal is to win the championship again but that’s a long-term goal. There are a number of short-term boxes you have to tick first.
“We’ll not panic but we have some work to do and that’s never a bad thing”.